By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Late fall is the peak season for deer movement in Kansas and as a result, deer-vehicle crashes also go up, according to Kansas Highway Patrol Technical Trooper Tod Hileman

“About half the deer-vehicle crashes we work all year long come in October, November and December — with November being the heavy one, ” Hileman said. “November really spikes (statistically) in deer crashes.”

There are some things drivers can do to reduce the chance of hitting a deer.

“Be really alert around low-lying areas and around trees. Be especially cautious in areas where you see a deer-crossing sign and be on the lookout for deer particularly at dawn and dusk,” he said.

“Above all, slow down,” Hileman advised.  “Allow yourself a little more time for your commute.”

Last year in Ellis County, there were 98 deer/vehicle crashes, with one fatality, according to statistics provided by Hileman:

“If you do hit a deer, stay in your vehicle. Put on your hazard lights and pull over to the right as far as you can. Call 9-1-1 and don’t try to move the deer,” advised Hileman. “I remember last year there were three fatalities in one morning involving deer. Two of them were when people got outside of their vehicle after the crash, and they were then struck by another vehicle.”